LKAB Visitor Center

A Giant Videowall Lights Up the Frozen North

Overview

LKAB (Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag) is the world’s technical leader in supplying iron ore pellets, acquired from underground mining, to the global steel industry. In 2012 it opened a new research center in Koskullskullle that includes a visitor center which welcomes guests to the nearby Malmberget mine. The center includes a flexible presentation space which can seat up to 120 people and includes a showpiece videowall comprised of 192 Christie MicroTiles. Electrosonic was responsible for the audio-visual systems design and integration, working to the requirements of LKAB’s consultant WSP.

Challenge

The challenges were twofold. The first was how to present LKAB to largely technical and VIP visitors in a unique and impressive way. This would include showing a “House Show” entitled “Performance in Iron Making”, together with high resolution graphics and other presentation material.

The second was the location of the center. Its remoteness required that the installation program be carefully planned, and that all equipment had to be of the highest reliability.

Solution

Electrosonic’s Stockholm office has years of experience of supporting projects throughout Sweden, so the remote location issue was accommodated as business as usual. It was decided that the main means of presentation would be a large videowall made up from 192 Christie MicroTiles arranged 16×12 to give an overall image of 6.5m × 3.7m (21.4ft × 12ft).

In order to deal with a variety of image sources the videowall is fed from a Vista Spyder image processor configured for eight inputs and eight outputs. The display is supported by a comprehensive audio system and a room control system with intuitive touch operation.

Adjacent to the presentation room is a board room. The main display is comprised of four 55-inch LCD monitors in a 2x2 array, featuring ultra-narrow mullions.

Impact

The presentation system at the LKAB visitor center both enhances the visit and leaves a very good impression with the visitors.